Investigation Into Ferry Sinking

November 5, 2013

Investigation officers concluded that a ferry struck a large rock which caused water to flood the ferry and that the cause was not that the skipper had been drinking or taking drugs.

PATTAYA – November – 4,2013 [PDN]; The incident happened approximately 1 mile of the coast of koh Larn Island. A ferry called “Koh Larn Travel 1 had picked up passengers from Nuan beach and around 4.30 pm on November the 3rd as it departed for Pattaya the ferry started taking on water which was due to it striking a large rock below the surface. The ferry took on water very quickly but the bilge pump which is used to pump water out was not working The passengers moved up stairs to escape the in coming water which made the ferry very unstable causing it to capsize. The passengers were flung into the water where they cried for help. People with small boats and crafts rushed to help rescue the passengers floating in the water. There was 200 people on board the seriously injured were rushed back to Bali Hai port for medical assistance were it was confirmed 6 were dead and 20 seriously injured and some were still missing . Pattaya executives rushed to inspect the scene.

Pol. Gen. Wuth Lippataphallop (Consultant of Commissioned officers 10) held a meeting to discuss the impact of tourism in Pattaya..During the meeting they said that they had detained Mr. Samarn Khwanmeuang, aged 48, (the ship driver), and Mr. Jaruek Ngarmkaew, aged 45, (the ship owner), and that they were to make a statement to the media which Mr. Samarn confirmed that he was driving the passengers ship from Koh Larn back to Pattaya when it suddenly collided with a big rock causing water to gush into the ships hull .The passengers ran up stairs to move away from the incoming water making the boat very unstable, but the bilge pump was not working which is used to pump water out so the boat flooded ,capsized and sank within 1 minute.

Later, Pol. Maj. Gen. Wuth Liptaphallop and officers went to the temporary center which was caring for the victims to give them support. The police said that the skipper of the boat will be prosecuted for operating an ocean vessel causing death and serious injury to other people. He will be held and prosecuted to Thai law.

Ferry Disaster, – Over 100 Missing, 6-Dead

A Pattaya City passenger ferry has sunk off nearby Koh Larn Island after leaking, so all Thai rescue services are working through the night. There were 150-200 Thai and foreign tourists and with around100-passengers unaccounted for, plus 6-dead, this is the worst shipping disaster to have occurred in Thailand’s biggest tourist city